Russian guy won't touch doorknobs, tabloid goes full Cold War thriller
A British tabloid front page (Metro, February 18, 2026) featuring a sensational headline about a Russian dissident refusing to touch door handles out of fear of Novichok poisoning. The layout includes a photo of Putin alongside the named critic, the Ramsay restaurant review, and a travel advertisement for Paddington the Musical. The tone is dramatic and paranoia-adjacent.
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METRO reaches five million readers every day. Free to read. Free to think. co.uk RAMSAY Raw... or overdone? Chef gives his new doc five stars but fails to sate our critic's hunger page 3. AFTER NAVALNY FROG TOXIN KILLING EXPOSED... Putin critic: I never touch a door handle. It's not paranoia, says Russian who named Kremlin's nerve agent assassins... I know I'm on his death list. RUSSIAN dissident named as a target at the trial of a Putin spy ring in Britain says he refuses to live in fear - but admits he is terrified of a nerve agent assassination bid. Roman Dobrokhov, 43, spotted fury in the eyes of accused GRU colonel Novichok on the front door of double agent Sergei Skripal's home in Salisbury in 2018. He is now identifying other agents who attacked Putin opponent Alexei Navalny with the same substance. Dobrokhov, who is a presenter and blogger, was jailed in a Siberian jail last year by poison extracted from a rare South American frog. Mr Dobrokhov, who cannot reveal where he lives, said: 'I do not have paranoia that my door handle could be poisoned - it is a rational expectation. It is proven in court that I am a target. It is obvious fact. There are real organisations within Russian security that could do this.' The exiled dad-of-two was living in Britain last year during the trial of six Russians accused of trying to murder Navalny in London and Great Yarmouth. They discussed using ricin or other poisons - including from Old Bailey head. One message suggested they 'maybe burn him' continued on page 5. Threat: Vladimir Solovyev is called 'Burning critic Roman Dobrokhov'. Old paths and new memories Page 14. Scotland | Alba. Travel offers. Paddington The Musical & London. 2 days from £189pp*. Join us for a magical 2-day London break, combining dinner, bed and breakfast, return transfers, free time in the capital, and an evening at the theatre to see one of the West End's most anticipated new shows! HE'S FOUND A NEW HOME. PADDINGTON THE MUSICAL. 0808 304 5040. www.metrotraveloffers.co.uk. METRO Operated by Just Go Holidays Ltd ABTA 7022 ATOL 10889, a company wholly independent of Associated Newspapers Ltd and Metro Travel Offers. Holiday subject to terms and conditions. Your coach booking is protected by Bonded Coach Holidays (BCH) and the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT). Tours subject to availability and government guidelines. Prices are based two people sharing a double/twin room. *From price based on August 13, 2025.